Method and apparatus for performing communication in wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

A method for performing communication by a cellular base station in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes performing channel contention for occupying a channel of an unlicensed band, if the channel of the unlicensed band is occupied, the cellular base station transmits a first message including information about a time period in which the channel of the unlicensed band is usable, to at least one first User Equipment (UE) that performs communication in the channel of the unlicensed band using a first communication scheme, and communicating with a second UE using a second communication scheme different from the first communication scheme in the channel of the unlicensed band during a time period corresponding to the time period information. The second communication scheme corresponds to a cellular communication scheme, and the first message is transmitted to the at least one first UE based on the first communication scheme.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 14/219,491, filed on Mar. 19, 2014, which will issue as U.S. Pat.No. 9,253,799 on Feb. 2, 2016 and claimed the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Mar. 19, 2013 in theKorean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial number10-2013-0028950, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for performingcommunication in a wireless communication system.

BACKGROUND

Most of the recent terminals (also known as User Equipments (UEs)) aremulti-mode terminals that may use different wireless communicationtechnologies such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), cellularcommunication, Bluetooth, and the like. Typically, the multi-modeterminal may access one wireless communication network to receiveservices, and when desiring to access another wireless communicationnetwork, the multi-mode terminal may perform handover from the existingwireless communication network to a new wireless communication network.Therefore, there is a need for the network structure and varioustechnologies for the continuity of services when a terminal moves fromone wireless communication network to another wireless communicationnetwork. In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the networkstructure and various technologies needed for the terminal's movementbetween a 3GPP wireless communication network and a WLAN network areespecially called interworking WLAN. The multi-mode wirelesscommunication technology has evolved not only to use one communicationtechnology at a time, but also to use multiple wireless communicationtechnologies at the same time. The use of multiple wirelesscommunication technologies simultaneously thereby increases transferrates per unit time or improves the reliability of the terminal.

In wireless communication, the spectral band is very rare resources. Alicensed band represents a frequency band that is exclusively licensedto a specific operator to provide specific wireless services. On theother hand, an unlicensed band (or license-exempt band) represents afrequency band that is not allocated to a specific operator, but isopened so that all entities meeting the predefined requirements may usethe frequency band. The licensed band may be fundamentally preventedfrom undergoing interference caused by wireless services of otheroperators, since only the licensed or authorized operator may providewireless services in the licensed band. However, interference control isa very important factor for the unlicensed band since the unlicensedband is a frequency band that any operators or individuals may use in anopen way.

WLAN that uses Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) which is the typical wirelesscommunication technology used in the unlicensed band may operate basedon Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA).Specifically, in the WLAN, when a terminal needs to start transmission,a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) interface of a physical layer may firstperform a carrier sense operation of determining whether a wirelesschannel is in an idle state. The WLAN may start the transmission, if itis determined that the wireless channel is in the idle state for aspecific time (e.g., Distributed Inter Frame Space (DIFS)). However, ifthe wireless channel is not in the idle state for the specific time, theWLAN needs to wait until the ongoing transmission in the wirelesschannel is completed.

In addition to the carrier sense operation that is performed in the CCAinterface of the physical layer, a Virtual Carrier Sensing (VCS)operation may be performed in a Media Access Control (MAC) layer. ADuration field of a MAC header of a Wi-Fi frame may include informationabout required transmission time for the frame and a series of the Wi-Fiframe's succeeding frames. Therefore, upon receiving the frame, aterminal may determine that the wireless channel is busy or in use,regardless of the results of the carrier sense operation that has beenperformed in the CCA interface for the time corresponding to the timeinformation included in the Duration field. In this way, the Wi-Fi frameand a series of the Wi-Fi frame's succeeding frames may be securelytransmitted.

As described above, an unlicensed band is a frequency band that is notallocated to a specific operator, but is opened so that all entitiesmeeting the predefined requirements may use the frequency band.Therefore, communication technology that uses the unlicensed band isrequired to design a protocol that considers interference from otherservices. If the communication technologies (e.g., cellularcommunication and the like), which were originally designed withoutassuming that the communication technologies may be used in theunlicensed band, are used in the unlicensed band, their transmission mayaffect transmission of the existing WLAN system.

Accordingly, a method and apparatus for performing data communicationusing an unlicensed band without the impact of interference from otherservices in a common wireless communication system is desired.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for performing datacommunication using an unlicensed band without the impact ofinterference from other services in a common wireless communicationsystem.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for safely using, in an unlicensed band, specificcommunication technology that does not consider the characteristics ofthe unlicensed band, such as cellular communication.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for safely using unlicensed band communication technology in alicensed band, thereby reducing the frequency usage costs and increasingthe data throughput of specific communication technology.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method forperforming communication by a cellular base station in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The method includes performing channelcontention for occupying a channel of an unlicensed band, if the channelof the unlicensed band is occupied, transmitting a first messageincluding information about a time period in which the channel of theunlicensed band is usable, to at least one first User Equipment (UE)that performs communication in the channel of the unlicensed band usinga first communication scheme, and performing communication with a secondUE using a second communication scheme different from the firstcommunication scheme in the channel of the unlicensed band during a timeperiod corresponding to the time period information. The secondcommunication scheme corresponds to a cellular communication scheme, andthe first message is transmitted to the at least one first UE based onthe first communication scheme.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a methodfor performing communication by a UE in a wireless communication systemis provided. The method includes transmitting a first message includinginformation indicating whether a channel of an unlicensed band is usableby the UE, to a cellular base station in a channel of a cellular bandusing a first communication scheme, if the channel of the unlicensedband is usable by the UE, receiving an allocated channel of theunlicensed band from the cellular base station, and performingcommunication with the cellular base station in the allocated channel ofthe unlicensed band using the first communication scheme. The firstcommunication scheme includes a cellular communication scheme, and isdifferent from a second communication scheme that is used in the channelof the unlicensed band.

In accordance with further another aspect of the present disclosure, acellular base station in a wireless communication system is provided.The cellular base station includes a first communication entityconfigured to perform communication using a first communication scheme,a second communication entity configured to perform communication usinga second communication scheme, and a controller configured to controlthe first communication entity to perform channel contention foroccupying a channel of an unlicensed band, and if the channel of theunlicensed band is occupied, transmit a first message includinginformation about a time period in which the channel of the unlicensedband is usable, to at least one first UE that performs communication inthe channel of the unlicensed band using the first communication scheme,and to control the second communication entity to perform communicationwith a second UE using a second communication scheme different from thefirst communication scheme in the channel of the unlicensed band duringa time period corresponding to the time period information. The secondcommunication scheme corresponds to a cellular communication scheme, andthe first message is transmitted to the at least one first UE based onthe first communication scheme.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a UE ina wireless communication system is provided. The UE includes a firstentity configured to send a first message including informationindicating whether a channel of an unlicensed band is usable by the UE,to a cellular base station in a channel of a cellular band using a firstcommunication scheme, and a controller configured to, if the channel ofthe unlicensed band is usable by the UE, receive an allocated channel ofthe unlicensed band from the cellular base station, and performcommunication with the cellular base station in the allocated channel ofthe unlicensed band using the first communication scheme. The firstcommunication scheme includes a cellular communication scheme, and isdifferent from a second communication scheme that is used in the channelof the unlicensed band.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a wireless communication systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate internal hierarchical configurations of aBase Station (BS) and a User Equipment (UE) according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate locations of common layers in a BSand a UE that use Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication and Long TermEvolution (LTE) communication according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting data by aBS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, by reserving achannel of an unlicensed band using Request To Send (RTS) and Clear ToSend (CTS) control frames according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5B is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, by reserving achannel of an unlicensed band using a CTS-to-self frame according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, by reserving achannel of an unlicensed band using a preamble and a Physical LayerConvergence Protocol (PLCP) header of a Physical (PHY) layer except fora payload of an unlicensed band frame according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of reserving achannel of an unlicensed band and using the reserved channel for datacommunication of an unlicensed band by a BS and a UE according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a BS and a UE through a channel reservation processthat uses RTS and CTS control frames according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a BS and a UE through a channel reservation processthat uses a CTS-to-self frame according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7C is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a preamble and a PLCP header of a PHY layer exceptfor a payload of an unlicensed band frame according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, using a channel ofan unlicensed band by a BS according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, using a channel ofan unlicensed band by a UE according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of reserving a channel ofan unlicensed band and using the reserved channel for data communicationof an unlicensed band by a BS according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication by an unlicensed band UE according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a BS according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a UE according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a BS according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a UE according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functionsand constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic,parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations orvariations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error,measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those ofskill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effectthe characteristic is intended to provide.

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a wireless communication systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless communication system may include aBase Station (BS) 101 and a User Equipment (UE) 102.

Each of the BS 101 and the UE 102 performing communication with the BS101 may include a plurality of wireless interfaces. The plurality ofwireless interfaces may include an unlicensed band communicationinterface 107 for performing communication using an unlicensed band, anda licensed band communication interface 109 for performing communicationusing a licensed band. Typically, the unlicensed band communicationinterface 107, compared with the licensed band communication interface109, may transmit a signal with lower transmit power in accordance withthe provisions of the unlicensed band. Therefore, a transmission range103 of an unlicensed band signal may be smaller than a transmissionrange 104 of a licensed band signal.

Although it is assumed in FIG. 1 that for convenience of description,the transmission range 103 of the unlicensed band signal is included inthe transmission range 104 of the licensed band signal, the transmissionrange 103 of the unlicensed band signal may partially overlap thetransmission range 104 of the licensed band signal. In some cases, thetransmission range 104 of the licensed band signal may be included inthe transmission range 103 of the unlicensed band signal.

The method presented in an embodiment of the present disclosure may beapplied to a case where the UE 102 is located in an overlapping regionwhere the transmission range 103 of the unlicensed band signal overlapsthe transmission range 104 of the licensed band signal.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate internal hierarchical configurations of a BSand a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of the BS 101 and the UE 102 mayinclude an unlicensed band entity 202, one or more licensed bandentities 203 and 204 that use another communication technology, and acommon layer 201 that collectively manages the unlicensed band entity202 and the licensed band entities 203 and 204. The common layer 201 maybe implemented as a separate independent layer, or implemented as anextended function of the existing protocol layer, as the common layer201 is defined as a logical function.

For a packet that is provided from an upper layer of the BS 101 to thecommon layer 201, a channel of an unlicensed band may be reserved by theunlicensed band entity 202, and then, the communication technology, withwhich the packet is to be transmitted to the UE 102, may be determinedby the common layer 201. The unlicensed band entity 202 may perform afunction of transmitting and receiving packets to/from the common layer201, and a function of reserving a channel to protect thetransmission/reception of packets that are forwarded from the commonlayer 201 to the licensed band entities 203 and 204.

Each of the BS 101 and the UE 102 may include one unlicensed band entity202 and one licensed band entity 203, as illustrated in FIG. 2A.Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, each of the BS 101 and the UE102 may include one unlicensed band entity 202 and two or more differentlicensed band entities 203 and 204.

The unlicensed band as described in an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may represent a frequency band where Wi-Fi communication isperformed. Whereas, the licensed band may represent a frequency bandwhere cellular communication, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE)communication, is performed. In a case where the unlicensed bandrepresents the frequency band where Wi-Fi communication is performed andthe licensed band represents the frequency band where LTE communicationis performed, the common layer may be located as illustrated in FIGS. 3Ato 3D.

FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate locations of common layers in a BS and a UEthat use Wi-Fi communication and LTE communication according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The common layer that collectively manages entities for Wi-Ficommunication and entities for LTE communication may be implemented invarious ways as illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D.

Referring to FIG. 3A, an example where a common layer 201 collectivelymanages a WLAN protocol stack 303 and an LTE protocol stack 304 isdefined over the WLAN protocol stack 303 (e.g., a Media Access Control(MAC) layer and a Physical (PHY) layer) defined in the existing Wi-Fistandard, and the LTE protocol stack 304 (e.g., a Packet DataConvergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, aMAC layer, and a PHY layer) defined in 3GPP is illustrated.

For a packet that is provided from an upper layer to the common layer ofa BS, a channel of an unlicensed band may be reserved by the WLANprotocol stack, and then, the packet may be transmitted to a UE throughthe WLAN protocol stack or the LTE protocol stack depending on thedecision of the common layer.

Referring to FIG. 3B, an example where a function of a common layer 301is added to an LTE PDCP layer. For a packet that has arrived at an LTEPDCP layer of a BS 101, a channel of an unlicensed band may be reservedby the WLAN protocol stack 303, and then, the packet may be transmittedto a UE 102 through the WLAN protocol stack or a lower LTE protocolstack 305 (e.g., RLC, MAC, and PHY layers) depending on the decision ofthe common layer 301 (or the PDCP layer) is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 3C, an example where a function of a common layer isadded to an LTE RLC layer 311. For a packet that is forwarded from anLTE PDCP layer 312 of a BS 101 to an LTE RLC layer 311 (or the commonlayer), a channel of an unlicensed band may be reserved by the WLANprotocol stack 303, and then, the packet may be transmitted to a UE 102through the WLAN protocol stack 303 or a lower LTE protocol stack 304(e.g., MAC and PHY layers) depending on the decision of the common layer(or the RLC layer) 311 is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 3D, an example where a function of a common layer isadded to an LTE MAC layer 314. For a packet that has come to an LTE MAClayer 314 (or the common layer) through an LTE PDCP 312 and RLC layers315 of a BS 101, a channel of an unlicensed band may be reserved by theWLAN protocol stack 303, and then, the packet may be transmitted to a UE102 through the WLAN protocol stack 303 or a lower LTE PHY layer 313depending on the decision of the common layer (or the MAC layer) isillustrated.

Although it is assumed in FIGS. 3A to 3D that the Wi-Fi communicationtechnology and the LTE communication technology are collectively managedby the common layers in the BS 101 and the UE 102, the same may beapplied to other communication technologies such as High Speed PacketAccess (HSPA) and the like, in the similar way. In addition, although itis assumed in FIGS. 3A to 3D that one LTE PHY layer is included in eachof the BS 101 and the UE 102, a plurality of LTE PHY layers may beincluded in each of the BS 101 and the UE 102, like in FIG. 2B in whicha plurality of licensed band entities 203 and 204 are included in eachof the BS 101 and the UE 102. In other words, if there are two or moredifferent licensed bands, a plurality of licensed band entitiescorresponding to their associated licensed bands may be included in eachof the BS and the UE.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting data by aBS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a common layer of the BS may receive a packet froman upper layer in operation 400. In operation 402, an unlicensed bandentity may reserve a channel of an unlicensed band, and provide channelreservation information to the common layer. When reserving the channelof the unlicensed band, the unlicensed band entity may use a channelreservation method proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The channel reservation method may be roughly divided into three types.Among the three channel reservation methods, a first channel reservationmethod is a method of reserving a channel of an unlicensed band usingRequest To Send (RTS) and Clear To Send (CTS) control frames. A Durationfield of a MAC header included in each of the RTS and CTS control framesmay include information about required transmission time for the frameand a series of RTS and CTS control frames' succeeding frames.

Upon receiving the RTS and CTS control frames, a UE that uses anunlicensed band may determine that the channel is busy and/or in use,regardless of the results of the carrier sense operation that isperformed by a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) interface of an unlicensedband (Wi-Fi) PHY layer, for a time specified in the Duration field.Therefore, for secure channel reservation, the BS and the UE may causeanother UE that may use a channel of an unlicensed band, not to use achannel of the unlicensed band for a time corresponding to requiredtransmission time information included in the Duration field of the RTSand CTS control frames.

A second channel reservation method is a method in which a BS sets adestination address of a CTS control frame as an address of the BS andbroadcasts the address using a CTS-to-self frame. The CTS-to-self frameis a special type of the CTS control frame. For secure channelreservation, the second method, like the first method, may cause anotherUE that may use a channel of an unlicensed band, not to use a channel ofthe unlicensed band for a time corresponding to time informationincluded in a Duration field of the CTS-to-self frame.

A third channel reservation method is a method in which a BS broadcastsonly the preamble and Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) headerparts of a PHY layer except for a payload of an unlicensed band frame.Upon receiving the PLCP header, based on a Rate field (indicating atransfer rate of the BS) and a Length field (indicating a time requiredto transmit one MAC Packet Data Unit (PDU)) included in the PLCP header,a UE may estimate the duration during which a frame is received,regardless of whether the UE has the capability supporting the rate.During the duration, the UE may determine that the channel is busy,regardless of the carrier sense results by the CCA interface of theunlicensed band PHY layer. Therefore, the BS may broadcast the PLCPheader including information about the transmission duration, to causeanother UE that may use a channel of an unlicensed band, not to use achannel of the unlicensed band, thereby guaranteeing secure channelreservation.

If a channel of the unlicensed band is reserved according to the abovemethod, the unlicensed band entity (and/or unlicensed band interface)may provide channel reservation information (e.g., channel number and/orfrequency, bandwidth information, reserved period and the like of theunlicensed band) to the common layer. In operation 404, the common layermay determine a radio access to be used to transmit a packet, based onwhether the channel is reserved and on the reserved period. The commonlayer may determine the communication technology with which the commonlayer will transmit the packet received at the common layer through theunlicensed band, taking into account various conditions such as thestate or traffic load of each radio access. In operation 406, the commonlayer may transmit the packet through an interface corresponding to thedetermined radio access.

If a plurality of licensed band communication entities exists under thecommon layer as illustrated in FIG. 2B, a first licensed band entityamong the plurality of licensed band communication entities may beexclusively used for a licensed band and a second licensed band entityamong the plurality of licensed band communication entities may beexclusively used for an unlicensed band. In this case, upon receivingnotification information indicating that a channel of an unlicensed bandis reserved by an unlicensed band entity, the common layer may transmita packet using one of the first licensed band entity and the secondlicensed band entity.

Next, a description will be made of a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, using a channel ofan unlicensed band by a BS and a UE according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. This process may be performed as illustrated inFIGS. 5A to 5C, according to the three channel reservation methods.

First, reference will be made to FIG. 5A to describe a method ofperforming data communication, which is performed in a licensed band, byreserving a channel of an unlicensed band using RTS and CTS controlframes.

FIG. 5A is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, by reserving achannel of an unlicensed band using RTS and CTS control frames accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a BS 550 may include a common layer 552, a firstcommunication entity 554 that performs communication corresponding to afirst communication scheme (e.g., an LTE communication scheme) in alicensed band or an unlicensed band, and a second communication entity556 that performs communication corresponding to a second communicationscheme (e.g., a Wi-Fi communication scheme) in an unlicensed band. Afirst communication terminal 580 performing communication with the BS550 may include a communication entity for performing communicationcorresponding to the first communication scheme, and secondcommunication terminals 560 and 570 performing communicationcorresponding to the second communication scheme may exist around the BS550 and the first communication terminal 580.

In this communication environment, in operation 500, the firstcommunication terminal 580 may send to the BS 550 an Attach Requestmessage including information (including information indicating whetheran unlicensed band is available) about a radio band supported by thefirst communication terminal 580, for the first communication terminal580's initial access to the BS 550.

In operation 502, the BS 550 may reconfigure a connection to the firstcommunication terminal 580 by sending a Connection Reconfigurationmessage to the first communication terminal 580 so that the firstcommunication terminal 580 may perform communication based on a specificwireless interface. Using the Connection Reconfiguration message, the BS550 may command the first communication terminal 580 to prepare toperform communication corresponding to the first communication scheme inan unlicensed band, and transmit, to the first communication terminal580, center frequency information and bandwidth information of anunlicensed band, which will be used for the unlicensed bandcommunication. In the case of LTE communication, the ConnectionReconfiguration message may be implemented by extending a Radio ResourceControl (RRC) Connection Reconfiguration message.

Upon receiving a packet, the common layer 552 of the BS 550 may requestthe second communication entity 556 to reserve a channel of anunlicensed band in operation 504. The common layer 552 may also provide,to the second communication entity 556, a channel number of anunlicensed band, which is desired to be reserved, and a reserved periodindicating a period for which the channel of the unlicensed band is tobe used.

In operation 506, the second communication entity 556 may performchannel contention for an unlicensed band. For example, if theunlicensed band is a Wi-Fi band, the second communication entity 556 mayperform Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA)channel contention that is based on the IEEE 802.11 standard.

If a channel of an unlicensed band is successfully occupied through thechannel contention, the second communication entity 556 may transmit anRTS control frame to the nearby second communication terminal 560 inoperation 508. A Duration field of a MAC header of the RTS control framemay include information about a reserved period requested by the commonlayer 552.

Although it is assumed in an embodiment of the present disclosure thatthe second communication entity 556 transmits the RTS control frame tothe second communication terminal 560 on the assumption that the firstcommunication terminal 580 does not have an entity for performingcommunication corresponding to the second communication scheme, thesecond communication entity 556 may transmit the RTS control frame tothe first communication terminal 580 if the first communication terminal580 has the entity for performing communication corresponding to thesecond communication scheme.

Upon receiving the RTS control frame, the second communication terminal560 may set a timer according to the reserved period informationincluded in the Duration field of the MAC header of the RTS controlframe in operation 510. The timer may be a Network Allocation Vector(NAV) timer, and while the NAV timer is driven, the second communicationterminal 560 may not participate in the channel contention, determiningthat a channel of an unlicensed band is busy.

In operation 512, the second communication terminal 560 may transmit aCTS control frame to the BS 550 in response to the RTS control frame. Asshown in operation 514, the second communication terminal 560 maytransmit the CTS control frame even to another nearby secondcommunication terminal 570. The CTS control frame, like the RTS controlframe, may include information about the reserved period. Accordingly,in operation 516, the second communication terminal 570 may set a timeraccording to the reserved period information included in the Durationfield of the MAC header of the CTS control frame. The secondcommunication terminal 570 may drive the timer as the NAV timer, and maynot participate in the channel contention for an unlicensed band duringthe period in which the timer is driven.

If the CTS control frame is received, the second communication entity556 of the BS 550 may determine that a channel of an unlicensed band hasbeen successfully reserved. In operation 518, the second communicationentity 556 may send a channel reservation response message to the commonlayer 552. The channel reservation response message may include channelinformation (channel number or frequency and bandwidth information of anunlicensed band) and information about the reserved period.

The common layer 552 may determine the communication scheme to be usedfor common layer 552's communication with a UE in a channel of anunlicensed band, taking into account the wireless environment condition,traffic load and the like. If the common layer 552 determines to use thefirst communication scheme in a channel of an unlicensed band, thecommon layer 552 may instruct the first communication entity 554 totransmit data in accordance with the first communication scheme in thechannel of the unlicensed band, in operation 520.

In operation 522, the first communication entity 554 may perform datacommunication in accordance with the first communication scheme which isused in the licensed band, using the channel of the unlicensed band,until the reserved period of the unlicensed band expires. For example,if the LTE communication scheme is used in the licensed band, the firstcommunication entity 554 may perform data transmission/reception inaccordance with the LTE communication scheme using the resources forWi-Fi communication which is communication of an unlicensed band. Thedata transmission/reception method that is based on the LTEcommunication scheme may follow the standard of the LTE communication, adetailed description thereof will be omitted in an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

If the timers expire in operations 524 and 526, the second communicationterminals 560 and 570 may perform again the channel contention for achannel of an unlicensed band to perform data communication based on thesecond communication scheme.

Next, reference will be made to FIG. 5B to describe a method ofperforming data communication, which is performed in a licensed band, byreserving a channel of an unlicensed band using a CTS-to-self frame.

FIG. 5B is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, by reserving achannel of an unlicensed band using a CTS-to-self frame according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. Operations 530, 532, 534 and 536in FIG. 5B correspond to above-described operations 500, 502, 504 and506 in FIG. 5A, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5B, if a channel of an unlicensed band is successfullyoccupied through the channel contention for an unlicensed band inoperation 536, the second communication entity 556 may send a channelreservation response message to the common layer 552 in operation 538.The channel reservation response message may include channel information(channel number or frequency and bandwidth information of an unlicensedband) and information about the reserved period.

In operation 540, the second communication entity 556 may broadcast aCTS-to-self frame to prevent other communication terminals from usingthe channel of the unlicensed band. The CTS-to-self frame may include aDuration field including channel reservation period information. Uponreceiving the CTS-to-self frame, the second communication terminals 560and 570 may set a timer for preventing the use of the channel of theunlicensed band according to the channel reservation period informationincluded in the CTS-to-self frame in operations 548 and 551,respectively.

Upon receiving the channel reservation response in operation 538, thecommon layer 552 may determine the communication scheme to be used forthe common layer 552's communication with a UE in the channel of theunlicensed band, taking into account the wireless environment condition,traffic load and the like. If the common layer 552 determines use of thefirst communication scheme which is used in a licensed band, the commonlayer 552 may instruct the first communication entity 554 to transmitdata in accordance with the first communication scheme in the channel ofthe unlicensed band, in operation 544.

In operation 553, the first communication entity 554 may perform datacommunication in accordance with the first communication scheme usingthe channel of the unlicensed band, until the reserved period of theunlicensed band expires. For example, if the LTE communication scheme isused in the licensed band, the first communication entity 554 mayperform data transmission/reception in accordance with the LTEcommunication scheme using the resources for Wi-Fi communication whichis communication of an unlicensed band.

If the timers expire in operations 555 and 557, the second communicationterminals 560 and 570 may perform again the channel contention for achannel of an unlicensed band to perform data communication based on thesecond communication scheme.

Next, reference will be made to FIG. 5C to describe a method ofperforming data communication, which is performed in a licensed band, byreserving a channel of an unlicensed band using a preamble and a PLCPheader of a PHY layer except for a payload of an unlicensed band frame.

FIG. 5C is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, by reserving achannel of an unlicensed band using a preamble and a PLCP header of aPHY layer except for a payload of an unlicensed band frame according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. Operations 561, 563, 565 and567 in FIG. 5C correspond to above-described operations 500, 502, 504and 506 in FIG. 5A, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5C, if a channel of an unlicensed band is successfullyoccupied through the channel contention for an unlicensed band inoperation 567, the second communication entity 556 may send a channelreservation response message to the common layer 552 in operation 569.The channel reservation response message may include channel information(channel number or frequency and bandwidth information of an unlicensedband) and information about the reserved period.

In operation 573, the second communication entity 556 may broadcast apreamble and a PLCP header of a PHY layer except for a payload of anunlicensed band frame to other communication terminals (e.g., the secondcommunication terminals 560 and 570) that may use the channel of theunlicensed band. The preamble may include information for making itpossible to detect the PLCP header, and the PLCP header may include aRate field including information about a transfer rate of the BS 550,and a Length field indicating the time needed to transmit one MAC PDU.

Each of the second communication terminals 560 and 570 may determineduration for communication to be performed in an unlicensed band, basedon the information included in the Rate field and the Length field.Accordingly, the second communication terminals 560 and 570 may set atimer based on the determined duration in operations 577 and 579,respectively. During the time based on the timer, the secondcommunication terminals 560 and 570 may determine that the channel isbusy, regardless of the carrier sense results by the CCA interface ofthe unlicensed band PHY layer.

Upon receiving the channel reservation response in operation 569, thecommon layer 552 may determine the communication scheme to be used forthe common layer 552's communication with a UE in the channel of theunlicensed band, taking into account the wireless environment condition,traffic load and the like. If the common layer 552 determines use of thefirst communication scheme which is used in a licensed band, the commonlayer 552 may instruct the first communication entity 554 to transmitdata in accordance with the first communication scheme in the channel ofthe unlicensed band, in operation 575.

In operation 581, the first communication entity 554 may perform datacommunication in accordance with the first communication scheme usingthe channel of the unlicensed band, until the reserved period of theunlicensed band expires. For example, if the LTE communication scheme isused in the licensed band, the first communication entity 554 mayperform data transmission/reception in accordance with the LTEcommunication scheme using the resources for Wi-Fi communication whichis communication of an unlicensed band.

If the timers expire in operations 583 and 585, the second communicationterminals 560 and 570 may perform again the channel contention for achannel of an unlicensed band taking into account the carrier senseresults by the CCA interface of the unlicensed band PHY layer, toperform data communication based on the second communication scheme.

FIG. 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of reserving achannel of an unlicensed band and using the reserved channel for datacommunication of an unlicensed band by a BS and a UE according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, a BS 650 may include a common layer 652, a firstcommunication entity 654 that performs communication corresponding to afirst communication scheme (e.g., an LTE communication scheme) in alicensed band or an unlicensed band, and a second communication entity656 that performs communication corresponding to a second communicationscheme (e.g., a Wi-Fi communication scheme) in an unlicensed band. Asecond communication terminal 660 performing communication with the BS650 may include a communication interface for performing communicationcorresponding to the second communication scheme. The secondcommunication terminal 660 may include a communication interface forcommunication corresponding to another communication scheme, which willbe omitted in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Another secondcommunication terminal 670 that uses the unlicensed band may existaround the BS 650 and the second communication terminal 660.

In this communication environment, in operation 600, the secondcommunication terminal 660 may send to the BS 650 an Attach Requestmessage including user preference information and band information(radio information) that the second communication terminal 660 uses forthe second communication terminal 660's initial access to the BS 650.

In operation 602, the BS 650 may exchange a Connection Reconfigurationmessage with the second communication terminal 660 so that the secondcommunication terminal 660 may perform communication based on a specificwireless interface. If the BS 650 and the second communication terminal660 each include an interface for LTE communication, the ConnectionReconfiguration message may be implemented by extending an LTE RRCConnection Reconfiguration message.

Upon receiving a packet, the common layer 652 of the BS 650 may requestthe second communication entity 656 to reserve a channel of anunlicensed band in operation 604. The common layer 652 may also provide,to the second communication entity 656, a channel number of anunlicensed band, which is desired to be reserved, and a reserved periodindicating a period for which the channel of the unlicensed band is tobe used.

In operation 606, the second communication entity 656 may performchannel contention for an unlicensed band. For example, if theunlicensed band is a Wi-Fi band, the second communication entity 656 mayperform CSMA/CA channel contention that is based on the IEEE 802.11standard.

If a channel of an unlicensed band is successfully occupied through thechannel contention, the second communication entity 656 may transmit anRTS control frame to the second communication terminal 660 in operation608. A Duration field of a MAC header of the RTS control frame mayinclude information about a reserved period requested by the commonlayer 652.

During the time from operation 608 until operation 618 in which thesecond communication terminal 660 transmits a CTS control frame to theBS 650 in response to the RTS control frame, the BS 650 may perform thefollowing operation.

If a channel of an unlicensed band is occupied, the second communicationentity 656 of the BS 650 may send a channel reservation response messageto the common layer 652 in operation 610. The channel reservationresponse message may include channel information (channel number orfrequency and bandwidth information of an unlicensed band) andinformation about the reserved period.

The common layer 652 may determine the interface to be used for commonlayer 652's communication with a UE in the channel of the unlicensedband, taking into account the wireless environment condition, trafficload and the like. If the common layer 652 determines it is the secondcommunication entity 656, the common layer 652 may instruct the secondcommunication entity 656 to transmit data in accordance with the secondcommunication scheme in the channel of the unlicensed band, in operation612.

In operation 614, the second communication entity 656 may send, to thecommon layer 652, a response message indicating that the secondcommunication entity 656 may transmit data in accordance with the secondcommunication scheme using a channel of an unlicensed band. In operation616, the second communication entity 656 may perform MAC processingincluding a MAC header insertion process. Upon receiving a CTS controlframe from the second communication terminal 660 in response to the RTScontrol frame, the second communication entity 656 may transmit data tothe second communication terminal 660 in accordance with the secondcommunication scheme using the channel of the unlicensed band inoperation 624, and receive a response signal for the transmitted data inoperation 626. Operations 624 and 626 may be performed until thereserved period of the channel of the unlicensed band expires.

When transmitting a CTS control frame to the BS 650, the secondcommunication terminal 660 may transmit the CTS control frame even tothe nearby second communication terminal 670 as shown in operation 620.The CTS control frame, like the RTS control frame, may includeinformation about the reserved period. Accordingly, in operation 622,the second communication terminal 670 may set a timer according to thereserved period information included in a Duration field of a MAC headerof the CTS control frame. The second communication terminal 670 maydrive a timer as a NAV timer, and may not participate in the channelcontention for an unlicensed band during the period in which the timeris driven.

A description will now be made of a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a BS and a UE according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. This process may be performed as illustrated in FIGS. 7A to7C, according to the three channel reservation methods.

First, reference will be made to FIG. 7A to describe a method ofperforming data communication using a channel of a licensed band and achannel of an unlicensed band by reserving a channel of an unlicensedband using RTS and CTS control frames.

FIG. 7A is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a BS and a UE through a channel reservation processthat uses RTS and CTS control frames according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a BS 750 may include a common layer 752, a firstcommunication entity 754 that performs communication corresponding to afirst communication scheme (e.g., an LTE communication scheme) in atleast one of a licensed band and unlicensed band, and a secondcommunication entity 756 that performs communication corresponding to asecond communication scheme (e.g., a Wi-Fi communication scheme) in anunlicensed band. A first communication terminal 760 performingcommunication with the BS 750 may include a first communication entity762 that performs communication corresponding to the first communicationscheme in at least one of the licensed band and the unlicensed band, anda second communication entity 764 that performs communicationcorresponding to the second communication scheme in the unlicensed band.The BS 750 and the first communication terminal 760 may have a CarrierAggregation (CA) function capable of performing communication usingcarriers of several bands. A second communication terminal 770 thatperforms communication corresponding to the second communication schemeusing a channel of an unlicensed band may exist around the BS 750 andthe first communication terminal 760.

In this communication environment, in operation 700, the firstcommunication terminal 760 may send to the BS 750 an Attach Requestmessage including user preference information and band information(radio information) that the first communication terminal 760 uses forthe first communication terminal 760's initial access to the BS 750. Inoperation 702, the first communication terminal 760 may transmit andreceive data to/from the BS 750 by using a channel of a licensed band asa primary carrier.

If the common layer 752 of the BS 750 determines to use a channel of anunlicensed band as a secondary carrier in operation 704, the BS 750 andthe first communication terminal 760 may exchange a ConnectionReconfiguration message with each other in operation 706 so that thefirst communication terminal 760 may prepare to use the channel of theunlicensed band. In the case of LTE communication, the ConnectionReconfiguration message may be implemented by extending an RRCConnection Reconfiguration message.

Upon receiving the Connection Reconfiguration message, the firstcommunication terminal 760 may perform a setting operation for using thechannel of the unlicensed band as a secondary carrier, based on theinformation included in the Connection Reconfiguration message, andactivate or enable the first communication terminal 760's secondcommunication entity 764.

If the connection reconfiguration between the BS 750 and the firstcommunication terminal 760 is completed, the common layer 752 of the BS750 may request the second communication entity 756 to perform channelcontention for reservation of a channel of an unlicensed band inoperation 708. The common layer 752 may also provide, to the secondcommunication entity 756, a channel number of an unlicensed band, whichis desired to be reserved, and a reserved period indicating a period forwhich the channel of the unlicensed band is to be used.

In operation 710, the second communication entity 756 may performchannel contention for an unlicensed band. For example, if theunlicensed band is a Wi-Fi band, the second communication entity 756 mayperform CSMA/CA channel contention that is based on the IEEE 802.11standard.

If a channel of an unlicensed band is successfully occupied through thechannel contention, the second communication entity 756 may transmit anRTS control frame to the first communication terminal 760 in operation712. A Duration field of a MAC header of the RTS control frame mayinclude information about a reserved period requested by the commonlayer 752.

Upon receiving the RTS control frame, the first communication terminal760 may transmit a CTS control frame to the BS 750 in response to theRTS control frame in operation 714. The first communication terminal 760may transmit the CTS control frame even to the nearby secondcommunication terminal 770 as shown in operation 716.

The CTS control frame, like the RTS control frame, may includeinformation about the reserved period. Accordingly, in operation 718,the second communication terminal 770 may set a timer according to thereserved period information included in a Duration field of a MAC headerof the CTS control frame. The second communication terminal 770 maydrive a timer as a NAV timer, and may not participate in the channelcontention for an unlicensed band during the period in which the timeris driven.

If the CTS control frame is received, the second communication entity756 of the BS 750 may determine that a channel of an unlicensed band hasbeen successfully reserved. In operation 720, the second communicationentity 756 may send a channel reservation response message to the commonlayer 752. The channel reservation response message may include channelinformation (channel number or frequency and bandwidth information of anunlicensed band) and information about the reserved period.

By using a channel of an unlicensed band as a secondary carrier, thecommon layer 752 may instruct the first communication entity 754 totransmit data using a channel of a licensed band and a channel of anunlicensed band in operation 722 so that communication corresponding tothe first communication scheme may be performed. In operation 724, thefirst communication entity 754 may perform data communication inaccordance with the first communication scheme using both of the channel(or primary carrier) of the licensed band and the channel (or secondarycarrier) of the unlicensed carrier, until the reserved period of thechannel of the unlicensed band expires.

For example, if the first communication scheme is the LTE communicationscheme, data transmission/reception based on the LTE communicationscheme may be performed, as the carrier of the LTE frequency band isused as a primary carrier and the carrier of the Wi-Fi frequency bandwhich is the unlicensed band is used as a secondary carrier. The LTEdata communication procedure that uses CA may follow the existingstandard of LTE data communication, so a detailed description thereofwill be omitted in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Next, reference will be made to FIG. 7B to describe a method ofperforming data communication using a channel of a licensed band and achannel of an unlicensed band by reserving a channel of an unlicensedband using a CTS-to-self frame.

FIG. 7B is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a BS and a UE through a channel reservation processthat uses a CTS-to-self frame according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Operations 730, 732, 734, 736, 738 and 740 in FIG. 7B correspond toabove-described operations 700, 702, 704, 706, 708 and 710 in FIG. 7A,so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7B, if a channel of an unlicensed band is successfullyoccupied through the channel contention for the unlicensed band inoperation 740, the second communication entity 756 may broadcast aCTS-to-self frame in operation 744. The CTS-to-self frame may include aDuration field including channel reservation period information, and maybe broadcasted to communication terminals that may use the channel ofthe unlicensed band.

In operation 751, upon receiving the CTS-to-self frame, the secondcommunication terminal 770 may set a timer according to the channelreservation period information included in the CTS-to-self frame. Thesecond communication terminal 770 may drive the timer as a NAV timer,and may not participate in the channel contention for an unlicensed bandduring the period in which the timer is driven.

If the channel of the unlicensed band is successfully occupied, thesecond communication entity 756 may send a channel reservation responsemessage to the common layer 752 in operation 746. The channelreservation response message may include channel information (channelnumber or frequency and bandwidth information of an unlicensed band) andinformation about the reserved period.

By using a channel of an unlicensed band as a secondary carrier, thecommon layer 752 may instruct the first communication entity 754 totransmit data using a channel of a licensed band and a channel of anunlicensed band in operation 748 so that communication corresponding tothe first communication scheme may be performed. In operation 753, thefirst communication entity 754 may perform data communication inaccordance with the first communication scheme using both of the channel(or primary carrier) of the licensed band and the channel (or secondarycarrier) of the unlicensed carrier, until the reserved period of thechannel of the unlicensed band expires. For example, if the firstcommunication scheme is the LTE communication scheme, datatransmission/reception based on the LTE communication scheme may beperformed, as the carrier of the LTE frequency band is used as a primarycarrier and the carrier of the Wi-Fi frequency band which is theunlicensed band is used as a secondary carrier.

Next, reference will be made to FIG. 7C to describe a method ofperforming data communication using a preamble and a PLCP header of aPHY layer except for a payload of an unlicensed band frame.

FIG. 7C is a signaling diagram illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a preamble and a PLCP header of a PHY layer exceptfor a payload of an unlicensed band frame according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Operations 761, 763, 765, 767, 669 and 771 in FIG. 7C correspond toabove-described operations 700, 702, 704, 706, 708 and 710 in FIG. 7A,so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7C, if a channel of an unlicensed band is successfullyoccupied through the channel contention for the unlicensed band, thesecond communication entity 756 may broadcast a preamble and a PLCPheader of a PHY layer except for a payload of an unlicensed band frame,to the communication terminals (e.g., the first communication terminal760 and the second communication terminal 770) that may use the channelof the unlicensed band, in operation 775. The preamble may includeinformation for making it possible to detect the PLCP header, and thePLCP header may include a Rate field including information about atransfer rate of the BS 750, and a Length field indicating the timeneeded to transmit one MAC PDU.

The second communication terminal 770 may determine duration forcommunication to be performed in an unlicensed band, based on theinformation included in the Rate field and the Length field.Accordingly, the second communication terminal 770 may set a timer basedon the determined duration in operation 781. During the time based onthe timer, the second communication terminal 770 may determine that thechannel is busy, regardless of the carrier sense results by the CCAinterface of the unlicensed band PHY layer.

If the channel of the unlicensed band is successfully occupied, thesecond communication entity 756 may send a channel reservation responsemessage to the common layer 752 in operation 777. The channelreservation response message may include channel information (channelnumber or frequency and bandwidth information of an unlicensed band) andinformation about the reserved period.

By using a channel of an unlicensed band as a secondary carrier, thecommon layer 752 may instruct the first communication entity 754 totransmit data using a channel of a licensed band and a channel of anunlicensed band in operation 779 so that communication corresponding tothe first communication scheme may be performed. In operation 783, thefirst communication entity 754 may perform data communication inaccordance with the first communication scheme using both of the channel(or primary carrier) of the licensed band and the channel (or secondarycarrier) of the unlicensed carrier, until the reserved period of thechannel of the unlicensed band expires. For example, if the firstcommunication scheme is the LTE communication scheme, datatransmission/reception based on the LTE communication scheme may beperformed, as the carrier of the LTE frequency band is used as a primarycarrier and the carrier of the Wi-Fi frequency band which is theunlicensed band is used as a secondary carrier.

Operations of a BS and a UE according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 8to 13.

Operations of the BS 550 and the second communication terminals 560 and570 in the various embodiments presented in FIGS. 5A to 5C will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, using a channel ofan unlicensed band by a BS according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the BS may determine in operation 800 whether alocation of a UE performing data communication in accordance with thefirst communication scheme in a licensed band corresponds to a locationwhere the UE may use a channel of an unlicensed band. In other words,the BS may determine whether the UE is in a location where the UE mayuse both of a channel of a licensed band and a channel of an unlicensedband.

If the UE is in the location where the UE may use the channel of theunlicensed band in operation 802, the BS may proceed to operation 804.Otherwise, the BS may end all the process. The BS may perform channelcontention for the unlicensed band in operation 804, and determine inoperation 806 whether the channel of the unlicensed band is occupied.

If the channel of the unlicensed band is occupied, the BS may determinea reserved period in which the BS will use the channel of the unlicensedband, to perform communication corresponding to the first communicationscheme in operation 808. In operation 810, the BS may send a message(e.g., an RTS control frame including information about the reservedperiod) including the reserved period information to another UE thatuses the unlicensed band.

In operation 812, upon receiving a response message (e.g., a CTS controlframe) from another UE, the BS may perform data communication, which isperformed in the licensed band, using the channel of the unlicensed bandduring the reserved period.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication, which is performed in a licensed band, using a channel ofan unlicensed band by a UE according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 900, the UE that performscommunication corresponding to the first communication scheme may send,to a BS, an Attach Request message including information (includinginformation indicating whether the UE may use a channel of an unlicensedband) about a radio band supported by the UE, for the UE's initialaccess to the BS.

If the UE may use the channel of the unlicensed band in operation 902,the UE may receive, from the BS, a Connection Reconfiguration messageincluding information (e.g., center frequency information and bandwidthinformation of an unlicensed band) for performing communicationcorresponding to the first communication scheme using a channel of anunlicensed band, in operation 904.

The UE may be allocated a channel of an unlicensed band in operation906, and perform data communication in accordance with the firstcommunication scheme, which is performed in the licensed band, using theallocated channel of the unlicensed band in operation 908.

If the UE cannot use the channel of the unlicensed band in operation902, the UE may continuously perform data communication in the licensedband in operation 910.

Next, operations of the BS 650 and the second communication terminal 660in the embodiment presented in FIG. 6 will be described with referenceto FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of reserving a channel ofan unlicensed band and using the reserved channel for data communicationof an unlicensed band by a BS according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, if the BS is connected to a UE for communicationcorresponding to the second communication scheme in an unlicensed bandin operation 1000, the BS may perform channel contention for theunlicensed band in operation 1002. In operation 1004, the BS maydetermine whether a channel of the unlicensed band is occupied. If thechannel of the unlicensed band is occupied, the BS may determine areserved period in which the BS will use the channel of the unlicensedband, in operation 1006.

In operation 1008, the BS may send a message (e.g., a RTS control frame)including information about the reserved period, to the UE. In operation1010, upon receiving a response message to the sent message from the UE,the BS may perform data communication using the channel of theunlicensed band for the reserved period.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication by an unlicensed band UE according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, if the UE is connected to a BS to performcommunication corresponding to the second communication scheme in anunlicensed band in operation 1100, the UE may receive, from the BS, amessage (e.g., an RTS control frame) including information about areserved period in which the UE will use a channel of the unlicensedband, in operation 1102.

In operation 1104, the UE may send a response message to the receivedmessage to the BS, and send a message (or a CTS control frame) includinginformation about the reserved period, to another UE that uses theunlicensed band. In operation 1106, the UE may perform datacommunication using the channel of the unlicensed band for the reservedperiod.

Next, operations of the BS 750 and the second communication terminal 660in the embodiment presented in FIGS. 7A to 7C will be described withreference to FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a BS according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the BS may perform data communication with a UE inaccordance with the first communication scheme using a channel of alicensed band in operation 1200. In operation 1202, the BS may determinewhether the location of the UE corresponds to a location where the UEmay use a channel of an unlicensed band.

If it is determined in operation 1204 that the UE is in a location wherethe UE may use a channel of the unlicensed band, the BS may determine toadditionally use a channel of the unlicensed band in operation 1206. Inoperation 1208, the BS may perform channel contention for the unlicensedband. As a result of the channel contention, the BS may determine inoperation 1210 whether a channel of the unlicensed band is occupied.

If the channel of the unlicensed band is occupied, the BS may determinea reserved period in which the BS will use the channel of the unlicensedband, in operation 1212. In operation 1214, the BS may send a message(e.g., an RTS control frame) including information about the reservedperiod, to the UE. In operation 1216, upon receiving a response messageto the sent message from the UE, the BS may perform data communicationin accordance with the first communication scheme using both of thechannel of the unlicensed band and the channel of the licensed band forthe reserved period. The channel of the licensed band may be used as aprimary carrier, and the channel of the unlicensed band may be used as asecondary carrier. If the reserved period expires, the datacommunication may be continuously performed through the channel of thelicensed band.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing datacommunication using a channel of an unlicensed band and a channel of alicensed band by a UE according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, the UE may perform data communication with a BS inaccordance with the first communication scheme using a channel of alicensed band in operation 1300. Upon receiving a message (e.g., an RTScontrol frame) including information about a reserved period in which achannel of an unlicensed band is to be used, from the BS in operation1302, the UE may send a response message (e.g., a CTS control frame) tothe received message, to the BS in operation 1304. Subsequently, the UEmay send a message (e.g., a CTS control frame) including informationabout the reserved band to another UE that uses the unlicensed band.

In operation 1306, the UE may perform data communication in accordancewith the first communication scheme using both of the channel (orsecondary carrier) of the unlicensed band and the channel (or primarycarrier) of the licensed channel for the reserved period. If thereserved period expires, the UE may perform data communication inaccordance with the first communication scheme using the channel of thelicensed band.

Next, a description will be made of internal structures of a BS and a UEaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a BS according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

The BS may include a controller 1400, a radio unit 1402 and a memory1408. The controller 1400 may control the radio unit 1402 and the memory1408, and may also control the overall operation of the BS. In anembodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 1400 may performthe above-described BS's operation illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 7C.

The radio unit 1402 may include an unlicensed band communicationinterface 1404 and a licensed band communication interface 1406 ascomponents for performing wireless communication with a UE. Theunlicensed band communication interface 1404 may include a communicationentity for performing communication that uses, for example, Wi-Fitechnology, as a component for performing communication in theunlicensed band. The licensed band communication interface 1406 mayinclude a communication entity for performing communication that uses,for example, LTE technology, as a component for performing communicationin the licensed band. Although only one licensed band communicationinterface 1406 is illustrated in FIG. 14, the number of licensed bandcommunication interfaces may be subject to change depending on thelicensed band communication technology available in the BS.

The memory 1408 may store a variety of information corresponding to theoperation of the BS, and may also store a variety of data correspondingto the communication with the UE.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a UE according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

The UE may include a controller 1500, a radio unit 1502, and a memory1508. The controller 1500 may control the radio unit 1502 and the memory1508, and may also control the overall operation of the UE. In anembodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 1500 may performthe above-described operations of the first or second communicationterminal illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 7C.

The radio unit 1502 may include an unlicensed band communicationinterface 1504 and a licensed band communication interface 1506 ascomponents for performing wireless communication with a BS. Theunlicensed band communication interface 1504 may include a communicationentity for performing communication that uses, for example, Wi-Fitechnology, as a component for performing communication in theunlicensed band. The licensed band communication interface 1506 mayinclude a communication entity for performing communication that uses,for example, LTE technology, as a component for performing communicationin the licensed band. Although only one licensed band communicationinterface 1506 is illustrated in FIG. 15, the number of licensed bandcommunication interfaces may be subject to change depending on thelicensed band communication technology available in the UE.

The memory 1508 may store a variety of information corresponding to theoperation of the UE, and may also store a variety of data correspondingto the communication with the BS.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the present disclosuremay make it possible to use specific communication technology such ascellular communication even in an unlicensed band by reserving a channelof the unlicensed band, thereby increasing the data throughput of thespecific communication technology without paying for the frequencyusage. In addition, in using the specific communication technology inthe unlicensed band, the present disclosure may guarantee the safety ofthe WLAN system that is designed to use the existing unlicensed band.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for performing communication by a basestation in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:transmitting, to a first user equipment (UE) performing communication ina channel of an unlicensed band, a first message including informationon a time period for reserving the channel of the unlicensed band, basedon a Wi-Fi communication scheme; receiving, from the first UE, a secondmessage in response to the first message; and performing communicationwith a second UE during the time period in the reserved channel of theunlicensed band, based on a cellular communication scheme.
 2. The methodof claim 1, before transmitting the first message, further comprising:performing channel contention for occupying the channel of theunlicensed band.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:performing communication with the second UE during the time period inanother channel of a cellular band as a primary channel based on thecellular communication scheme, wherein the channel of the unlicensedband is used as a secondary channel for the communication with thesecond UE during the time period.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining the cellular communication scheme to be used forcommunication with the second UE during the time period in the channelof the unlicensed band based on at least one of environment condition ortraffic load of the wireless communication system.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second message includes at least one of a channelnumber of the unlicensed band, frequency information for the channel ofthe unlicensed band, bandwidth information for the channel of theunlicensed band, or information about the time period.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first message corresponds to one of a request tosend (RTS) control frame, a clear to send (CTS) control frame in whichan address of the base station is set as a destination address, or aframe including a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) headerwithout a payload.
 7. A method for performing communication by a userequipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the methodcomprising: transmitting a first message including information about anunlicensed band supported by the UE, to a base station based on acellular communication scheme; receiving a second message including anallocated channel of the unlicensed band, from the base station; andperforming communication with the base station during a time period inthe allocated channel of the unlicensed band using the cellularcommunication scheme, wherein the time period is reserved in theallocated channel of the unlicensed band based on a Wi-Fi communicationscheme by the base station.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: performing communication with the base station during thetime period in another channel of a cellular band as a primary channelbased on the cellular communication scheme, wherein the channel of theunlicensed band is used as a secondary channel for the communicationwith the second UE during the time period.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein the unlicensed band is indicated by a center frequencyinformation and bandwidth information of the unlicensed band.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, wherein information about the time period istransmitted to at least one second UE that uses the channel of theunlicensed band, by the base station, and communication for the at leastone second UE is interrupted for the time period.
 11. A base station ina wireless communication system, the base station comprising: a firstcommunication entity configured to perform communication using a Wi-Ficommunication scheme; a second communication entity configured toperform communication using a cellular communication scheme; and acontroller configured to: control the first communication entity to:transmit, to a first user equipment (UE) performing communication in achannel of an unlicensed band, a first message including information ona time period for reserving the channel of the unlicensed band, andreceive, from the first UE, a second message in response to the firstmessage, and control the second communication entity to performcommunication with a second UE during the time period in the reservedchannel of the unlicensed band.
 12. The base station of claim 11,wherein the controller is further configured to perform channelcontention for occupying the channel of the unlicensed band.
 13. Thebase station of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configuredto control the second communication entity to perform communication withthe second UE during the time period in another channel of a cellularband as a primary channel, and wherein the channel of the unlicensedband is used as a secondary channel for the communication with thesecond UE during the time period.
 14. The base station of claim 11,wherein the controller is further configured to determine the cellularcommunication scheme to be used for communication with the second UEduring the time period in the channel of the unlicensed band based on atleast one of environment condition or traffic load of the wirelesscommunication system.
 15. The base station of claim 11, wherein thesecond message includes at least one of a channel number of theunlicensed band, frequency information for the channel of the unlicensedband, bandwidth information for the channel of the unlicensed band, orinformation about the time period.
 16. The base station of claim 11,wherein the first message corresponds to one of a request to send (RTS)control frame, a clear to send (CTS) control frame in which an addressof the base station is set as a destination address, or a frameincluding a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) header without apayload.
 17. A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system,the UE comprising: an entity configured to transmit a first messageincluding information about an unlicensed band supported by the UE, to abase station based on a cellular communication scheme; and a controllerconfigured to: receive a second message including an allocated channelof the unlicensed band, from the base station, and perform communicationwith the base station during a time period in the allocated channel ofthe unlicensed band using the cellular communication scheme, wherein thetime period is reserved in the allocated channel of the unlicensed bandbased on a Wi-Fi communication scheme by the base station.
 18. The UE ofclaim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to performcommunication with the base station during the time period in anotherchannel of a cellular band as a primary channel based on the cellularcommunication scheme, and wherein the channel of the unlicensed band isused as a secondary channel for the communication with the second UEduring the time period.
 19. The UE of claim 17, wherein the unlicensedband is indicated by a center frequency information and bandwidthinformation of the unlicensed band.
 20. The UE of claim 17, whereininformation about the time period is transmitted to at least one secondUE that uses the channel of the unlicensed band, by the base station,and communication for the at least one second UE is interrupted for thetime period.